ESCONDIDO: Feedback sought on proposal to serve alcohol at park

Escondido officials are planning two community forums to gather
opinions on Stone Brewing Co.'s proposal to take over concessions
in limited portions of Kit Carson Park, which would require the
city to lift the park's longtime alcohol ban.

Officials from Stone and the city said public feedback would be
crucial to the proposal's fate when it was first unveiled in May,
expressing concern that residents might object to having beer sales
and alcohol consumption in a park known for youth sports.

The first forum, scheduled for late August, will be limited to
people who use the park frequently, such as groups that regularly
book the amphitheater, youth sports leagues and adult softball
participants.

"We need to talk to the stakeholders to answer any questions
they have about safety and appropriateness," said Bill Banning,
chairman of the city's Community Services Commission.

"The community has a lot of questions," said Banning, adding
that the forums would be an opportunity to debunk rumors and lay
out the specifics of Stone's proposal.

"The feedback I've gotten is that most people are either in
favor, or that they need more information," he said.

The forums will explain the benefits of the proposal, which
include Stone spending about $250,000 to upgrade the softball and
concessions area, said Jerry Van Leeuwen, the city's community
services director.

Upgraded facilities and the presence of Stone's popular beer and
food could make the underused park more popular, said Van Leeuwen,
helping the city generate more revenue.

Stone would pay the city to lease the space and might also share
some revenue with the city, he said.

Van Leeuwen said the forums will also explain that the presence
of beer would be limited to the adult softball complex,
amphitheater and the picnic area next to the Queen Calafia
sculpture, and that Stone would be responsible for preventing
overconsumption and underage drinking.

"There's some trade-offs," said Van Leeuwen, explaining that the
city's recreation division badly needs the upgrades and extra
revenue. "This works in other communities, but it might not work in
this community."

Greg Koch, Stone's chief executive, said Monday that he's eager
to answer questions and assure residents that Stone would handle
the concessions responsibly and carefully.

"I hope anyone with a concern shows up," said Koch, emphasizing
that he wants to address any misgivings and make sure people
thoroughly understand the proposal. "I look forward to feedback
because this is a community project."

Steven Goldstein, who lives near the southern Escondido park in
Las Palmas Ranch, said Monday that he's against the proposal, based
on the presence of youngsters who use the park.

"It's inappropriate to sell beer in a public park where kids
are," Goldstein said. "It's pretty easy for teens to get someone
else to buy for them."

Koch said Stone is aware of concerns regarding the possibility
of underage drinking and the community's worries that the character
of the 300-acre park could change.

"We know we have to pay attention to the details of our
business, and I think we've shown that we do that," said Koch,
referring to the absence of problems or complaints at the company's
popular western Escondido restaurant.

"I think we've developed a good reputation," he said.

Koch said one detail that won't be discussed at the forums is
possible revenue sharing between the city and Stone.

Officials won't tackle that issue until it's clear the community
supports the overall idea, he said.

Mayor Sam Abed said Monday that he has heard primarily positive
feedback since the proposal was unveiled, adding that Stone's
presence would sharply increase use of the park.

Abed said limiting the areas of beer consumption and the city's
"conservative approach" have reassured people.

But Councilwoman Marie Waldron said she doesn't believe that
selling alcohol in the park will go over well at the public
forums.

She suggested a better idea would be creating a new commercial
area between the park and Westfield North County mall that could
include Stone, a coffee shop and other businesses.

Assistant City Manager Charlie Grimm said Monday that Westfield
officials proposed such an area several months ago, but that the
idea was essentially abandoned because of the costs and hurdles of
mitigating habitat in the area to clear land for a new commercial
area.

Councilwoman Olga Diaz said it would be crucial for Stone to
avoid changing the character of the park, which borders three
public schools.

"I don't want them to overpower the park with their presence and
have it become known as Stone Brewery Park," she said. "But I don't
think that's what Stone is planning."

The second forum, scheduled for late September, will be open to
all residents.